AMR Centre receives funding to fight antimicrobial resistance

One of the UK’s leading bodies for helping fight antimicrobial resistance has received a significant funding boost.

The AMR Centre has received £2.3 million to support the expansion of its pipeline of new drugs to treat drug-resistant infections.

Based at Alderley Park, Cheshire, the AMR Centre is focused on accelerating the development of new antibiotics and diagnostics. The centre helps SMEs and pharmaceutical companies fast track new antibiotics into clinical trials.

The investment follows the UK government’s plan to cut the inappropriate use of antibiotics and reduce drug resistant infections. The plan, unveiled by health secretary Matt Hancock, outlines how the government intends to control the rate of antibiotic infections by 2040.

Dr Peter Jackson, executive director of the AMR Centre, said: “We hope that this initial investment by LifeArc, combined with the continued support of our existing investors, will be the start of a fruitful collaboration on our shared mission to deliver new therapies for serious drug resistant infections. There is currently a real momentum in the field of AMR research and investments like this are crucial in helping us build the collaborative networks we need to get life-saving drugs to market.”

The funding package was led by medical research charity LifeArc and included backers such as Bruntwood SciTech, MGL, and the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Life Sciences Fund.

LifeArc CEO Dr Melanie Lee said: "We are delighted to be able to support the AMR Centre. As a medical charity we are dedicated to accelerating the translation of innovation into new therapies and diagnostics. The AMR Centre’s aims align to our therapy area focus on fighting infection, including antimicrobial resistance. This is the start of a great collaboration, one which will help enhance this important research."